Spanish rising star Rafael Jodar continued his remarkable Wimbledon debut with a thrilling five-set victory over compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, battling back from a set down to book his place in the third round at the All England Club.
The 19-year-old completed a dramatic 3-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback in a match that stretched over two days after play was suspended because of fading light on Wednesday. When play resumed, Carreno Busta held a two-sets-to-one advantage, but Jodar showed remarkable composure to turn the contest around and seal victory after three hours and 43 minutes.
Jodar’s triumph was his second successive five-set Grand Slam win over former World No. 10 Carreno Busta, having also defeated the veteran Spaniard from two sets down at the French Open earlier this year. The victory underlines the rapid rise of one of Spain’s brightest young prospects.
With the win, Jodar became only the third Spanish man in the Open Era to reach the third round on his Wimbledon debut after legends Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. He will next face Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki for a place in the fourth round, with a potential blockbuster clash against top seed Jannik Sinner looming later in the tournament.
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